Four-star California receiver and Kentucky hopeful Vance Spafford recently appeared on ESPN’s Junior 300 rankings of the top recruits in the class of 2026.
The rankings, compiled by recruiting analysts Tom Luginbill and Craig Haubert, “account for top rising performers, new additions to the list and sleepers who are just now rising to the national radar.”
Listed as 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, Spafford (Mission Viejo High School, Calif.) was named one of ESPN’s “biggest risers” in their updated class of 2026 recruiting rankings.
Per ESPN:
“What the 5-foot-10, 170-pound Spafford lacks in size and stature, he makes up for in blazing speed and quickness. His laser-timed 4.35 40-yard dash won the fastest man competition at Future 50. That’s the fifth-fastest 40 time among the 241 graded wide receiver prospects in the 2026 class. He can make an early impact in the return game and then become the ultimate slot receiver. Cincinnati, Kentucky, Ole Miss and Arizona State are among his reported offers over the past month.”
Spafford is ranked the No. 111 overall recruit in the class of 2026 by ESPN.
Kentucky has enjoyed a jolt in its class of 2025 recruiting efforts after receiving pledges from four-star edge rushers Javeon Campbell (Frankfurt, Ky.) in early July and Cedric Works (Clayton, Ohio) in late June. ESPN has the Wildcats’ 2025 class at No. 18 nationally.
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